A Phrygian scale

The A Phrygian scale has the notes A B♭ C D E F G. Its formula is 1 b2 b3 4 5 b6 b7. It is mode 3 of the F major scale: the same notes, starting on A. Key signature: 1 flat (B♭).

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Scale notes

Degree	Formula	Note
I	1	A tonic
II	b2	B♭
III	b3	C
IV	4	D
V	5	E
VI	b6	F
VII	b7	G

Chords of the scale

Symbol	Chord	Notes	Chord-scale	Tensions	Avoid
Im7 modal center	Am7	A C E G	Phrygian A	11 (D)	b9 (B♭), b13 (F)
bIIMaj7 characteristic	B♭Maj7	B♭ D F A	Lydian B♭	9 (C), #11 (E), 13 (G)	–
bIII7	C7	C E G B♭	Mixolydian C	9 (D), 13 (A)	11 (F)
IVm7	Dm7	D F A C	Aeolian D	9 (E), 11 (G)	b13 (B♭)
Vø	Eø	E G B♭ D	Locrian E	11 (A), b13 (C)	b9 (F)
bVIMaj7	FMaj7	F A C E	Ionian F	9 (G), 13 (D)	11 (B♭)
bVIIm7 characteristic	Gm7	G B♭ D F	Dorian G	9 (A), 11 (C)	13 (E)

Character and characteristic note

The Phrygian mode is the third mode of the major scale. It is a minor scale whose characteristic note is the flat second (b2), which makes it austere and somber. It is one of the darkest minor modes.

Effect: austere, somber.
Characteristic note: b2.
Characteristic chords: bIIMaj7 (B♭Maj7), bVIIm7 (Gm7).

How to use it

Center Im7 (often I7sus4(b2)). Characteristic chords bIIMaj7 (the "dark lord") and bVIIm7 (more subtle). The melody keeps coming back to 1 or 5, contrasted with the b2. It can hide its character until the end.

Watch out for

bIIMaj7 / bIII7 moving to bVIMaj7 can tonicize VI.
An exposed b9 is harsh.

Examples

The Slip-Up
Nardis
Deluge

Frequently asked questions

What notes are in the A Phrygian scale?

A B♭ C D E F G. 1 b2 b3 4 5 b6 b7.

What chords can you build on the A Phrygian scale?

The seventh chords on each degree are Im7 = Am7, bIIMaj7 = B♭Maj7, bIII7 = C7, IVm7 = Dm7, Vø = Eø, bVIMaj7 = FMaj7, bVIIm7 = Gm7.